A New Way To Resolution

Jessie Atkin posted a new blog up on Digital Landing! Read about the new way to motivate those whose resolutions are to lose weight.

It’s almost 2009 and that means it’s new year’s resolutions time. Every year lots of people swear they’ll exercise more, at least now we have new tools to achieve that. (Even is you’re afraid of the video games and against “fake” exercise whether or not it works). That no longer means technology can’t help you.

Sega (yes it is a toy company) will soon be sending help for those less motivated outdoors types. The FiTrainer is a set of headphones with a built in motivational speaker (that’s the idea anyway). It comes with three exercise modes and looks exactly like a pair of headphones. The best part is that, at the very least, you won’t look like more of an idiot speed walking down the street.

Are you too old to hear it?

Chris McGinn posted a new blog up on Digital Landing! Read about the ringtone that teens can hear and older folks cannot.

Do you know what Teen Buzz is? If you don’t, you are probably an old geezer like me. It’s a high-pitched frequency ring tone used by teens to receive messages when they don’t want to alert their parents or teachers.

Dubbed The Mosquito because it is similar to the buzz of the insect, the frequency (approximately 17.4 kHz at 85dB) was used by shop keepers in the UK and elsewhere to keep teenagers out of their stores. Now the teens have turned the tables, to use it for their own power.

As we age, our hearing sensitivity to certain frequencies diminishes. There are sounds you can hear at 20 that you simply can’t hear at 40. I downloaded the ringtone and was actually able to hear it (I’m 32) but I think it would be very hard to hear in a busy classroom. My husband (who is only 33) wasn’t able to hear it, but he works with power tools all the time so his hearing is shoddy anyway.

Float On

Jessie Atkin posted a new blog up on Digital Landing! Read about NASA's missing rubber ducks, and how you can thicken your wallet.

NASA is asking for the public’s help in their newest experiment. They are looking for rubber ducks.

That’s right, NASA is searching for rubber ducks, specifically 90 that escaped from them this year. In an attempt to measure the effects of global warming and glacier movement. NASA put 90 ducks in a hole in the ice up in Greenland to see how fast the ice would melt. Now, three months later, the ducks are gone.

Supposedly $100 awaits anyone who finds and returns one of the ducks but I think if I found one I might be inclined to keep it.

Interstellar Marketplace

Jessie Atkin posted a new blog up on Digital Landing. Read about the latest news updates in the space realm.

Space, space, space, space. Problems abound and development continues, there is never a lack of news. Even in this economic climate you can always count on interest in the last frontier whether or not anyone can actually pay for it.

In recent news Virgin Galactic’s spaceport has gotten the green light to begin construction in New Mexico. The concept art is pretty fantastic, better than any airport I’ve seen.

In other news NASA is considering selling its shuttles (Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavor) when they are decommissioned. For a mere 42 million dollars part of space history can be yours. I’d love one, it’s be a heck of a club house. I doubt I can afford it.

Deck the Halls

Jessie Atkin posted a blog up on Digital Landing! Read about how you can make a gingerbread house, one you can't eat.

It’s almost Christmas and the holiday season is in full swing. Gingerbread houses are a winter holiday tradition. But just as toy fads and fashion change, so too has the art of gingerbread architecture changed.

This year it’s not just about gum drops and snow covered roofs, but motherboards and Star Wars. In this new age of gingerbread anything’s possible, even a gingerbread man with LED eyes. From star destroyers, to laptops, to mansions with working lights, gingerbread isn’t just a kids activity anymore.

Track Santa with your cell phone

Chris McGinn posted a blog up on Digital Landing! Read about how you can track Santa, on your cell.

If you aren’t going to be in front of your computer tonight, but still want to keep tabs on the big guy in the red suit, you can track Santa with your cell phone thanks to NORAD

For more than 50 years, NORAD has been the go-to source for mapping Santa’s journey across the earth on Christmas Eve. In the distant past, volunteers actually answered phone calls from children to help them locate Santa. Now you can go online and follow his path in 3D.

You can also use Google Maps for Mobile on supported phones (iPhone, T-Mobile G1, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, or Nokia phone with Google Maps) to search for “norad santa” to see Santa’s location.

Enjoy and Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

Wii-itis

Chris McGinn posted a blog on Digital Landing. Read about the injuries people are getting because of the Nintendo Wii gaming system.

Achey knees, sore wrists and tennis elbow. No, it’s not the lunch conversation at grandma’s house–it’s what doctors are calling “wii-itis.”

Doctors in Britain say that 10 people a week are hospitalized with injuries caused by playing Nintendo Wii games. That’s just crazy.

I presume that often these injuries are the result of people who aren’t used to being physically active over-doing it. The article also says that sudden movements in games where participants play tennis or run are also to blame.

One malady dubbed “Wii-knee” is blamed on the bending of the knee in the Wii-Fit game. I wonder if this is just a case of poor design or poor athletic conditioning. Treatment for the condition includes months of shots and therapy.

I applaud Nintendo for getting people off the couch to play but perhaps there should be some additional warning about not overdoing it. I wouldn’t want to explain that one to my insurance company.

Play safe!

Build Up the Music

Jessie Atkin posted a blog up on Digital Landing. Read about a portable speaker for your ipod that doesn't need batteries to run.

Some things are just sweet and timeless. Lets take for example the Lego. I love Lego’s, seriously, I hate the fact that now I’m “too old” to request any as holiday gifts. But, in a sense, that’s about to change.

The ipod Retro Mini Speaker is cute as a button, and travel size too. It’s probably one of the best ipod accessories I’ve set eyes on in awhile. It looks just like the classic building toy but is much more mature and age appropriate as a mini speaker for your ipod. Basically it’s a lego type brick that plugs into the USB port at the ipod’s base and even works to help the average ipod stand upright (if you so desire). Red, blue, yellow, green, white, black, or pink, the options are endless. You can clash or match the speaker with your player or, at under $20, you can buy more than one to mix and match.

No batteries are required as the speaker runs off the ipod’s own power source. I can’t attest to the speakers sound quality, but what it lacks in bass it makes up for in style.

The Festival of Lights

Jessie Atkin posted a blog up on Digital Landing. Read about the electronic menorah for people who prefer not to use candlelight.

So it’s that time of year again (although according to television and those carols on the radio its been that time of year since October). The truth is, it’s the holiday season, for reals this time, and there’s no way out. Hanukkah began last night at sundown and Christmas is still on its way.

I’m not going to talk about the best techie gifts just now, plenty of people already do that. I just wanted to point out one cool little gizmo I found laying about the internet, The LED motherboard menorah. It’s exactly what it sounds like people.

Why would you want one? Well, there’s been a market out for light bulb menorahs, and velcro menorahs for years, how about an update? I like it. And for those of us living dorms where open flames are not really permissible this holiday season, this seems like a cool little consolation prize.

Wi-Fly

Chris McGinn posted a blog on Digital Landing. Read about how you can search for places with wi-fi for you to use.

Are you traveling this holiday? Be sure to check out this site to find out which airports have free wi-fi for travelers. When you are on the go and especially if you have long layovers, you’ll love having the freedom to use your wi-fi. Also, if you are still looking for some good gift ideas, remember to check out our Wi-Fi gadget ideas.

Found via Real Simple’s awesome holiday blogathon.

Naturally Speaking

Chris McGinn posted a blog on Digital Landing. Read about the way to make keyboards a thing of the past, and vocals all you need.

I’m intrigued. It’s like something out of a sci-fi movie–software that really lets you tell your computer what to do with no typing required.

Dragon’s Naturally Speaking software promises just that–surf the web, dictate and edit in Word (and more) , IM, and more.

The software says it can let you create documents and emails up to three times faster than most people type and with 99 percent accuracy. If you are a slow typer or just have your hands full (hello, moms!)–this could be a life saver. You can even use a Bluetooth microphone so you don’t have to be “wired” to the computer. You can also use an approved digital recorder to make notes when you are away from the computer and automatically synch to it.

They have several software versions with additional options such as standard, preferred, and professional, which includes additional security measures and enterprise capabilities.

I’ve heard of simlar software in the past, but it seemed like the technology was a little spotty. Now maybe they have been able to make the necessary gains to make this really usable. As with any software, be sure to read reviews to see if it is a good fit for you. Between this and touchscreens, typing may soon be a skill of the past.

Cozi adds new features

Chris McGinn posted a new blog up on Digital Landing. Read about Cozi, the online planner that's quite useful for family planning.

In September I highlighted Cozi–an online planner for families on the go. They have recently added a few new features.

• printable grocery coupons
• mobile access
• add your family calendar to your Google Desktop

With the new year just around the bend, now might be a good time to start using it to keep everyone’s schedules in sync and more.

Technological Alliance

Jessie Atkin posted a new blog up on Digital Landing. Read about Seadragon, the first offspring of the joining of Microsoft and Apple.

Microsoft has finally caved to the dark side (or seen the light, depending on how you look at it).

Seadragon mobile is the first (of hopefully many) Microsoft iphone applications. (When did you ever think you’d hear that combination. It’s a super zoom abled image browser in case you’re wondering what Seadragon does. To me it doesn’t really matter that apps purpose, just the fact that it exists.

Imagine the possibilities of Apple and Microsoft together? What other unimaginable alliances can you see aiding the world?

Never Miss a Smile

Chris McGinn posted a blog up on Digital Landing. Read about the camera that snaps the shot when your teeth show.

We finally took our holiday photo this weekend. It turned out cute despite ending in tears and a few drops of blood when my littlest took a header off the bench he was sitting on with his brother while I snapped away with my camera. Ah, holiday memories . . .

Sony has a new camera technology to make sure you never miss the smile when you take pictures. The Cybershot’s Smile Shutter feature actually recognizes the human smile to click at the precise moment a grin appears. It’s really pretty neat stuff.

The feature lets you set the sensitivity so you are sure to get just what you are looking for. You can also turn the feature off since not all pictures have to have smiling subjects.

Here is a video showing it in action.

For other great holiday tech gift ideas, check out our wi-fi gift guide.

5 Minutes Peace

Jessie Atkin posted a blog up on Digital Landing! Read about a relaxation center built for college students at the University of Hertfordshire.

We’ve passed the mid point in the college year so I know that we college students could use a little more downtime and relaxation in our lives (odds are most people could). The problem is often time, but in the shared living space of a dorm space itself too becomes a problem.

Professors at the University of Hertfordshire however have worked out what they believe to be the most relaxing room in the world. With soft matting, lavender scented pillows, glade inspired green light, a specially soothing soundtrack, and an artificial blue sky it doesn’t sound half bad.

Not all of us are lucky enough to be able to go test out such a space, but the concept is promising. Imagine if all student centers had a relaxation room? Perhaps campus stress would decrease, it wouldn’t hurt. The only problem would be over crowding when it cam down to finals time.

Cute Technology

Jessie Atkin posted a blog up on Digital Landing. Read about the all new chumby, a cute animal that doubles as an alarm clock.

Have you ever wished for an internet pillow? A stuffed animal that streems music? Or a fun widget screener away from the computer? Maybe not, but that doesn’t make those capabilities any less fun.

That’s where the chumby comes in. The chumby is exactly what is sounds like, cute. It’s like an alarm clock posing as a pillow. It comes with a full color screen on one side, USB ports and charger opposite, and a squishy sort of fabric cover the rest of the way around.

The chumby is about the size of an average alarm clock and offers an alarm just like its predecesor, except this time you can wake up to music, podcasts, or even music videos. For more fun you can even access widgets from your chumby including facebook, twitter, and now pandora radio.

Pandora is chumby’s newest feature, and a nice one I’d say. You no longer need to worry about waking up to a commercial or setting up a playlist, pandora takes care of it for you.

The chumby is cute, and is always adding features. If only the price would drop everyone would be happy.

Holiday Card Slacker

Chris McGinn posted a blog up on Digital Landing. Read about the electronic way to send holiday cards.

Every year I love getting photo cards from friends around the country showing their families as they grow. Usually, I am ready to go with my own photo that I usually print at Sam’s Club. This year, however, I have been very slack. I’m hoping to still get something out before it is too late, but the clock is definitely ticking.

For those of you who don’t like the photo card route, or who just want to take the whole thing digital, you might be interested in a You Tube greeting card that I found via Lifehacker.

You can pick a video or record your own and add it to a background with a message and email it to up to 25 friends via You Tube.

Another favorite is Elfyourself from OfficeMax and JibJab. Create a stunningly hilarious elf-version of yourself or even your whole family dancing disco, The Charleston, country or classic and send to friends or embed on your blog or Facebook or whatever else you want. This year you can also download the file to save for posterity for just $4.99.

A Snow Improvment

Jessie Atkin posted a new blog up on Digital Landing. Read about the new device that will make you the MVP in snowball fights.

Lets be honest, its started to snow (in most places that get snow anyway) and it is time for outdoor winter activities. No, I’m not talking about skiing, or snowboarding (I don’t even get snow shoeing) I’m not even referring specifically to sledding, I’m thinking more snowball fights.

It’s difficult enough to pack a correct projectile (not any simple powder will work) add to that the awkwardness of gloves and the sensibility of fingers, and snowball fights become an all out battle of endurance and perseverance. Technology helps in all other areas of our lives, why not in the winter wonderland? (Especially in time for the holidays)

That’s where the Snowball Launcher comes in. It’s exactly what it sounds like. This particular advancement to extreme winter sports can shoot snowballs up to 50 feet (no mere athletic skill can give you the upper hand anymore) . Add to that the fact the launcher will pack snowballs for you (3 at a time) and it’s like a dream come true. See who doesn’t want you on their team now

Sexting?

Chris McGinn posted a blog on Digital Landing! Read about the statistics of teenage girls who send nude or semi-nude pictures electronically, and how to prevent it.

The Today Show this morning had a shocking and sobering story on teens tech use and the sending of nude or semi-nude photos of themselves electronically.

According to the results of a survey released today by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and CosmoGirl.com, 22 percent of all teen girls — and 11 percent of teen girls ages 13-16 years old — say they have electronically sent, or posted online, nude or semi-nude images of themselves.

Teens seem to be unaware or unconcerned of the consequences of sending these images as they can be passed along and posted online without any permission or security.

Another survey reported:

The online survey of 1,280 teens and young adults — done by TRU, a company that conducts research on teens and 20-somethings — indicates that 15 percent of teens who have sent sexually suggestive content such as text messages, e-mail, photographs or video say they have done so with someone they only know online.

The Today Show story suggested talking with your kids about what they are doing in cyberspace, know who they are talking to online, set limitations on their electronic communications, and set expectations about what is and what is not appropriate online.

It’s a brave new world. Stay on top of technology trends so you can be a better, more informed parent.

Protect your child online with Mee

Chris McGinn posted a blog up on Digital Landing. Read about how to protect your child online with a new program called Mee.

The Mee is a new generation of parental control for your child’s computer use. It lets mom and dad have more ability to control what kids can access as well as more information about what your child is doing online including screenshots and keyboard monitoring.

More and more parents want help keeping their children safe online and companies are meeting the need. As cyber-crime increases and children are exposed to the Internet at younger ages, parents are seeking help in creating safe, age-appropriate environments for their children online. Recently, I posted about a few web-based options.

Designed for kids ages 4-17, the Mee is installed via flash drive to your computer. The child can also take the flash drive for use on any computer so parents can keep up with them, wherever they may be.

When installed, the Mee creates an age-specific environment for children and teens to use to navigate their computers including their photographs, approved applications and websites. Parents can set restrictions on specific web sites, block certain words or personal information from being typed or received, and set time limits.

Parents can get alerts via email or mobile phone when your child attempts to navigate to a blocked site, types inappropriate words, or recieves unsolicited content. The Mee also sends parents alerts regarding FDA and toy recalls, weather emergencies and sex offenders locations in your area.

Whether you employ a website or a device like Mee, the need remains to monitor your children in age-appropriate way as you teach them safe and useful practices for the web. How do you keep your kids safe online?

New Snapshots

Jessie Atkin posted a blog up on Digital Landing. Read about the digital camera that prints on the go, without ink!

In this digital age we’re all about instant gratification, so it makes sense that, like the Polaroid before it, instant photos on the go are making a comeback in the Tomy camera. It comes at an especially important time as Polaroid film begins to disappear from shelves everywhere.

Introduced through Zink, the company that makes “zero ink printers” the Tomy is a digital camera with printer attached. Print little mini photos on the go as you go where ever you go. There is the question of print quality, but part of the fun of polaroids was there unique lack of quality. I’m keen on an updated digital idea, and the pictures make the cameras look really cute too.

To Blu-Ray or not to Blu-Ray

Chris McGinn posted a blog up on Digital Landing. Learn about Blu-Ray and the impact it's having on our DVD buying today.

I love the latest technology trends, but my budget is usually a few years behind. Case in point–Blu-ray. I would love to buy one this holiday, but I know the price will go down. Currently they run about $300+ although some makers already dip into the $200s.

One of my earliest money memories is of my parents buying their first VCR. It was about 1985 and it cost $700. It was fancy. It had stereo sound and special features for the nascent technology. Now, of course you can get a VCR for about $30.

Blu-ray, however, is smart. It has already beaten out its competitor HD DVD to be the next generation format of choice. Sony, who lost the Beta vs. VHS war, made its stand with Blu-ray and won out.

New movies are being released in Blu-Ray format and my neighborhood video store has an ever-growing wall of Blu-ray discs. Also, unlike DVD players vs. VHS, the new Blu-rays can play my current library of DVDs.

Now the real question in my family is do I invest in Disney Blu-Ray DVDs like the new release Sleeping Beauty or stick to the traditional DVDs. I know I am going to have them for years to come, and I really don’t want to have to replace them all a few years down the road.

I guess I may be checking out those Blu-rays sooner than I thought.

Muppet Magic

Jessie Atkin posted a blog up on Digital Landing. Read about how you can create your own muppet online.

I grew up on Sesame Street (the show not the place) and I have yet to meet anyone who doesn’t like Kermit the Frog. Lets be honest muppets are a part of everyone’s life whether we want to admit it or not. Well now they can become a real member of the family, and you get to design who you want to join you around the kitchen table.

FAO Schwarz now has the Whatnot Muppet Workshop where you can pick a body, eyes, hair, nose, and outfit for your own personal muppet. It’s all online! Think of the holiday possibilities! Muppets have never been just any old puppet and at last it seems we the young at heart can do our childhood stories justice with the real thing.

At $90 each they’re a bit expensive, but so are a lot of things at FAO Schwarz. What price can you put on childhood dreams anyway? It’s the holiday season, splurge.

A Secret Diary

Chris McGinn posted a blog up on Digital Landing. Read about the all new diary for girls, in the form of a USB.

When I was a little girl I had the diary with the lock that was supposed to keep my secret hopes and dreams safe. Meet the new, teched-out version– Take’s Secret Diary USB flash drive designed for teens.

The small drive has a key-pad for entering your personalized 3 to 10 digit PIN-number. Encrypted with hack-proof software, what you write is for your eyes only. If you worry about forgetting your PIN, they have PIN replacement assistance and a Never-Lost backup subscription that retains your diary entries in case of loss or theft.

This drive is geared toward girls with fun games and widgets such as a Fortune Cookie feature, rate everything from boys to movies to restaurants with My Stars, and analyze your dreams with Dream Catcher. Not sure what to write, try Thinking Deep to point you in the write direction. There’s even a Mood Art feature that analyzes your words and adds appropriate “mood” colors to your page.

You can personalize entries with a variety of backgrounds, colors and text styles. You can also include your own photos and add drawings (ala Perez Hilton)

It sells for $59.95 via Amazon.

Security Contradictions

Jessie Atkin posted a blog up on Digital Landing. Read to learn about the previously virus-free Mac.

Macs are supposed to be the safest computers anywhere, the myth goes that viruses can’t touch Macs. Today it seems like that might have changed.

Its been recently reported that the Mac Support section on apple.com now lists anti virus software as a suggestion to secure your computer. This is a very new development (and it doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence). Are Macs losing their touch?

I have yet to decide if the dollar for dollar investment is worth buying extra virus protection for my computer, especially when in store advice doesn’t always match that posted online. It can’t hurt anything but your wallet, but is it really necessary?

Advertisement to Go

Jessie Atkin posted a blog on Digital Landing. Read about the latest advance in the advertising world.

Billboards are so last week, lets bring television commercial style to the stagnant style of city advertising. That’s just the idea behind a new evolution in New York City Busing.

The buses won’t only come equipped with the equivalent of a side style television screen but a GPS system as well, ads will then specify themselves depending on the neighborhood and time of day.

It’s quite an idea in the advertising world, and I won’t say it’s not going to work, it probably will. What I do have to say is it’s getting creepy how far into my head advertising is beginning to penetrate.

When It’s Not Hands Free

Jessie Atkin posted a blog on Digital Landing! Read about a new pair of gloves that make touch screen electronics easy to use, no matter how cold it is.

Well, it’s that time of year again, winter’s here and so is the cold. Well, just as the technical world continues to expand so do those related items that help us deal with them.

Case and point; Dots Gloves. Nothing is more important to a gadget connoisseur than convenience, and these gloves provide just that. The gloves are simply that, gloves, with one new feature, a small metal dot at the fingertip to make iPod, iPhone and all touch screen use in the biting wind more convenient.

Now, I don’t own an iPhone yet, but I’m all for warmth and convenience when the icy winds head my way. At $15 a pair, depending on how outdoorsy you plan to be, the investment could be worth it this gift giving season.

Holiday Tech–Digital Photo Ornaments

Chris McGinn posted a blog on Digital Landing! Read about a new digital ornament for your Christmas tree or Hanukkah bush.

I love this idea–digital photo ornaments that play a slideshow of up to 50 (8MB) worth of photos. While I’m not sure they will last as long as your favorite traditional photo ornament, it is a clever way to share your favorite pics from the year with family or on your own tree.

Amazon lists several options that are on sale for the holidays (about $20). Photos are easily downloaded from your computer to the ornament’s 1 1/2″ LED screen. You can then view photos individually or as a slideshow. Maybe start a tradition of adding a new ornament to the tree each year with your favorite photos from throughout the year.

Holiday Tech Week–Christmas Light Control

Chris McGinn posted a blog on Digital Landing! Read up on the great invention of timed lights for your holiday decorations.

Tis the season to ring up big energy bills! Do you forget to turn off your outside holiday lights before you go to bed? Do you dislike going out in the cold to plug them in every night? Let technology make your life easier and add to your Christmas cheer.

Explore the wide range of timers from 24 hour to 7 day timers available at local home improvement stores. Some are set to come on at a particular time of day. Others come on as the sun goes down. You can also find options with remote controls so you can turn them on when you want, but you still don’t have to go outside to do it.

What’s your favorite holiday tech?

FAQ: Cable vs. satellite TV

There's an article up on Digital Landing all about cable and satellite TV. Learn about costs, equipment, high definition, the works.

Q: How do the costs for cable and satellite TV service compare?
Most experts generally rule the cost equation slightly in favor of satellite, even when you have to buy the equipment you use to receive (and sometimes, to record) TV, be it standard television or HDTV. That’s because the costs of renting cable equipment generally exceed those for buying satellite equipment over time, and because the regular monthly fees and taxes that get tacked onto cable TV charges also add to the overall cost. That confers only a slight edge, however, and shouldn’t be the only factor involved in your selection.

Q: How do costs of equipment purchase compare to rental costs?
When satellite providers offer equipment at no charge, they generally require at least a one-year subscription commitment or a contract of similar duration. When they charge for the equipment, it usually costs anywhere from $49 for a basic standard TV set-top box, to as much as $299 for a set-top box that can record HDTV signals.

Cable operators generally charge $3 per set-top box per month ($36 a year) for basic standard TV devices, and up to $10 a month ($120 per year) for set-top boxes that can record HDTV signals. If you stay with either provider longer than two or three years, the satellite service costs come out somewhat lower than the cable service costs because you’ll typically pay off that equipment somewhere in the second or third year of ownership, as compared with cable TV costs. But such equipment generally needs to be replaced every five to seven years (if not more often for real equipment aficionados), so equipment costs do continue to factor into the overall burden for either type of service.

Read the full article here.

Fantasy sports can rival the real thing

Dina Gerdeman posted a new article up on Digital Landing about the latest craze, fantasy football. It explains what it is, what you do, the 411.

With football season upon us, sports fans are keeping close tabs on key players they drafted for their fantasy football teams. An estimated 29.9 million people in the United States and Canada play fantasy sports, and that number is growing. Here's the scoop on what's quickly becoming one of America's favorite pasttimes.

Read the full article here.

Geek Up Your Game Day

There's a new article up on Digital Landing. Jessie Atkin writes about the National Football League's allowance of their games to be aired in full online for the first time. The article also talks about fantasy football, an online way to pick your fantasy football team and compete against others for the highest score.

Football season is in high gear and the sport is no longer relegated to parking lots and bleacher seats. Use your computer to get online streaming of NFL games and college football games to get the latest on your favorite teams and to help follow your fantasy players.

Read the full article here.

Where No Network Has Gone Before…

Richard Blaine posted a new blog up on Digital Landing! He explains the usefulness and convenience of a wireless bridge.

All of a sudden, all sorts of electronics need to access the internet and they are nowhere near my network. I didn’t hard-wire my living room for ethernet. My media pc is wireless and I never foresaw the need. Now I need multiple net connections and I don’t want to tear the walls open again.

First - here’s why I suddenly need new network connections:

My DirecTV dvr downloads “on demand” programming over the internet and needs a high-speed connecion using an ethernet cable. Of course, even though it has a USB port, it won’t take a USB wireless adapter. (By the way, a quick note to the folks at DirecTV - “on demand” means “give it to me when I ask for it”. It doesn’t mean “give it to me after I ask for it, put it in the queue and download it to my dvr”.)

Read the full blog here.

Cyber Monday

Chris McGinn posted a new blog up on Digital Landing about Cyber Monday, the online equivilant to Black Friday.

After Black Friday, it’s time to gear up for Cyber Monday–the online equivalent of the doorbuster deals in brick-and-mortar stores. If you don’t like fighting the crowds in your town, then getting great deals from your office in your pajamas on Cyber Monday is the sale for you.

Like Black Friday, there are websites devoted to helping you locate and score the very best deals such as www.cybermonday.com, which is the National Retail Federation’s Shop.org sister site that actually originated the term in 2005. The site will host hourly deals and exclusive promotions in addition to being a clearinghouse for more than 600 retailers.

PC World also has a great article about how to make the most of Cyber Monday. According to them, 84% of online retailers plan to have some sort of sale on Monday, up from last year. For the best deals on computer and tech equipment, they recommend looking for deals on three types of sites: Cyber Monday sites, tech retailer sites and deal aggregation sites.

The NY Daily News compiled this list of 100 budget-friendly sites for Cyber Monday. Of course, all your favorite retailers like Target, Kmart, and Walmart are sure to have great deals on their sites Monday so get your laptop ready.

Plastics and Printing

Jessie Atkin posted a new blog up on Digital Landing about a new revolutionary light source.

When it comes to electric lighting the talk is usually your average light bulb verses energy saving ones. Well General Electric has changed that conversation.

At GE’s research center in New York light is actually being printed. The technology of OLEDs that made this possible have been around (they’ve started showing up in cell phones and televisions) but this is the first machine to print the light as is. It basically seals a set of chemicals with a plastic film and foil, and thus, there is light.

Organic compounds combined with any electric current (yes, plugs are still involved) are the basic make up of this latest scientific development. Just imagine light posts without bulbs at the top but a complete glow from top to bottom. With the new OLED printable light the possibilities of form in the future are now almost indescribable.

Beyond Scissors

Jessie Atkin posted a new blog up on Digital Landing about a new product designed to open the plastic packaging we all fight with, without the fight.

We, the gadget obsessed, are no strangers to the hassle that is package opening. I’m not talking about wrapping paper and cardboard boxes, I’m speaking of the evil that is air tight plastic packaging with razor sharp edges and the reputation for back breaking hassle.

Supposedly we now have a solution. Open It (conveniently named) is a new product by Zibra, that claims to easily open all packaging from toys to battery compartments. It looks like a cross between garden clippers and a can opener.

The “Open It” boasts clippers, an exacto knife, and a screw driver. What else could you possibly need when opening a package? Other than Band-Aids? The Open It claims to remove the need for first aid anyway. For $10 I for one am willing to give it a try.

Black Friday

Chris McGinn posted a blog up on Digital Landing about Black Friday. There are multiple sites out there that let you see the best savings in advance.

Black Friday (the Friday after Thanksgiving that kicks off the holiday shopping season) is nearly upon us. Thanks to over-eager deal seekers you no longer have to wait to get the paper next week to see the greatest sales. A flurry of sites–www.bfads.net, www.black-friday.net, www.theblackfriday.com, www.tgiblackfriday.com, and www.blackfriday.info.– have popped up to give you the details and even ad scans for all your favorite stores and seasonal must-haves. (Thanks to Consumer Reports’ Tightwad Tod for the list)

I have to confess that in general I try to avoid the insanity of shopping on Black Friday, but I have ventured out a few times. A couple of years ago I went to Kohl’s on a mission to get a very well priced heated mattress pad. I saw people jumping out of cars on the interstate and darting through chainlink fences to get to the door quicker–insanity. However, I did get my prize–even if it was in the absolute furthest corner of the store from where I came in.

Happy Hunting!

The Technological Frontier

Jessie Atkin posted a blog up on Digital Landing about the latest internet upgrade, now for users in space!

Lets talk Disruption Tolerant Networking. I know, it sounds like any network, any plagued internet connections, but this is still something new.

DTN is basically space style internet. That’s space as in the cosmos. Information can now be transmitted from NASA to ships about 20 million miles away. The hitch is the delay. The connection is not continuous and data is often stalled and late, but hey, it’s still internet in deep space. And it does put any sluggish earth bound computers in perspective doesn’t it?

Shoe Tube

Chris McGinn posted a blog up on Digital Landing about how to make someone's holiday worth celebrating.

Each year Operation Christmas Child delivers millions of gift-filled shoeboxes to children in countries across the globe. Now families, schools and churches can share their shoebox stories via Shoe Tube.

Samaritan’s Purse began the Operation Christmas Child in 1993 and has shipped more than 60 million boxes to date. This year the goal is 8 million to 100 countries. My son’s preschool collected boxes last week but Nov. 18-24 is National Collection Week. If you and your family are participating in this activity, tape yourselves putting the box together and post it on ShoeTube.

Need some inspiration–check out BeCentsable’s boxes that she put together for just $5 using deals! I’ll definitely be using some of these tips next year.

Quite a Combination

Jessie Atkin posted a new blog on Digital Landing about the new partnership between Tivo and Netflix.

What more could you want than the ability to fast forward through commercials and record any movie of your choosing? Well, a lot more apparently. As if Tivo didn’t have enough going for it to begin with, now Netflix and Tivo are officially partnering up for real.

Netflix (probably by December) will be streaming the movie library already available online through Tivo HD customers. Think of the options, the possibilities, all those movies. The deals only been in the works for four years, but better late than never I suppose. The innovation of television is not over and boy is that exciting.

Order Pizza via Tivo

Chris McGinn posted a blog up on Digital Landing. You can now order pizza through your t.v.

Yes, it’s true. First it was by phone, then by web and mobile and now by Tivo remote.

Just when you thought Tivo couldn’t get any better now you can order your favorite pizza from Domino’s with a few clicks of your remote. I saw an article on first and then clicked on my Tivo guide. Sure enough, there were the links to order via Tivo. You simply log in with your Dominos.com user info and then pay by cash when the pizza arrives.

The concept launched this week and is the latest in on-demand living. Tivo already has partnerships with music providers, Amazon Unbox and Netflix to provide on-demand music and movie service. I wonder what is next?

To Reach the Masses

Jessie Atkin posted a new blog up on Digital Landing about fire side chats, which is a way to tune in to what's going on in the White House.

Just because the election’s over doesn’t mean politics is through utilizing the internet until four years from now. Youtube is once again going to play host to political innovation.

The fire side chat (a short presidential radio speech in place since FDR’s presidency) will begin broadcasting on Youtube when Obama takes office.

I’ve honestly never listened to one of these fire side chats, but I’m much more likely to look into it if it’s on Youtube. On my own time, through my own procrastination listening to a few minutes of the President seems like a much more likely practice online. We’ve got a little time to go, but we’ll see what kind of view count Obama gets once his chats are posted.

FAQ: Digital music

This article, posted on Digital Landing, is an FAQ all about music. Whether it's downloading, recording, burning, or searching, this article covers it all.

Part of the joys of having a high-speed Internet connection is the ability to buy and download music from any number of legitimate music sites, or to share music among friends. Once you've mastered locating and navigating through those sites, you'll want to know how you can use your music. Here are some answers to some frequently asked questions about digital music.

Read the full article here.

High-tech is what's cookin' in the kitchen

There's a new article up on Digital Landing. Read about how advances in the kitchen can have dinner cooked when you walk in the door, or provide entertainment while you prepare a meal.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are rapidly approaching and most families are heading to their kitchens to prepare beloved holiday meals. But, even the kitchen has gone high-tech. Ovens you can control from your office and television panels embedded into refrigerators are just the beginning of a new wave of teched-out kitchens.

You can find all kinds of tech-savvy appliances that will keep you cooking -- even when you're nowhere near the kitchen.

Read the full article.

Google Flu Trends

Chris McGinn posted a blog on Digital Landing about how Google can be used to track flu trends.

I think we are just beginning to touch the power of Google. I heard a report on the radio a few months ago about the massive amounts of data that Google processes daily and what could be learned from it. Now it is starting to make small steps into reality.

Enter Google Flu Trends. Google did an experiment tracking the rise in flu-related search terms and compared to it to CDC tracking reports. The results were strikingly accurate. Not only that–they were 2 weeks ahead of CDC reporting. The idea is that the number of people searching for flu-related articles and information correlates with people who actually have flu or flu-like illness.

Flu Trends is part of Google.org’s Predict and Prevent initiative to support efforts to :

“identify hotspots where new infectious diseases may emerge, detect new pathogens and outbreaks earlier, and respond quickly to prevent local threats from becoming global crises. “

Now you can use Google’s power to keep an eye on flu trends in your state so you can keep you and your family healthier.

Free calls to Mexico

Chris McGinn posted a blog up on Digital Landing. It's about a new way to keep in touch via phone when friends move away, without paying for long distance calls.

A dear friend of mine moved to Monterrey, Mexico earlier this year. I miss her a lot, but I am so excited that she has VoIP .

Because she has Internet phone, I can still call her old number like always and chat with her for more than hour without paying a single long-distance bill. It’s great! Even though she is half a continent away, she feels so much closer.

VoIP is also great if you are moving across town or across the country, too. With many plans you can have multiple phone numbers for the same line. This way you can have one for your friends in your old town and another for your new pals.

What’s your favorite thing about VoIP?

Photo Resurrection

Jessie Atkin posted a blog up on Digital Landing. It's about a cool new scanner that can be used on the negative strips from the time of film cameras.

So I’m not that old, but I must say that my earliest childhood moments are recorded on film, not online. I remember loading film, and to be honest, I liked it.

So now the USB Negative Scanner comes into play. Still have all those negatives hiding in drawers stored in envelopes from CVS? Well now it’s time to share the memories in our new digital age. It’s simple, load the 35 mm negative strips into the bottom of the scanner and suddenly you are the proud owner of a new wondrous library of digital pictures.

Give new life to old stories, upload an excellently embarrassing profile picture, the options are unlimited! Think of how much extra use you’ll get out of any new film photos you take today. I know kids taking a black and white photo class and as lovely as their final prints are it’s hard for those photos to translate appropriately to the computer through the lens of a digital camera. Add in the fact that this scanner is much more desk sized than a regular scanner and you see how college friendly it becomes. At $140 it’s not the cheapest gadget you’ll ever buy, but not the most expensive either. And memories are priceless, right?

Crash this party

Chris McGinn posted a blog up on Digital Landing about sites that make party planning easy.

On top of planning for Christmas, I also have two little boy birthdays coming up in the next few months. Until now I have gotten by with just family get-togethers, but those days are ending soon.

On Skip To My Lou I discovered a fabulous site for party-impaired people like me. It’s called Crash This Party, and it is a site where people post all about their party themes, decorations, menus, invites–the works!

Whether you have upcoming holiday shin-digs or a big birthday party to plan for, this site is a great place to find some ideas and it is free to join.

Of course, another party planning must-have is Evite. It has transformed the way I invite people to parties. Goodbye, stamps!

So, where do you get your party-planning ideas?

Goodnight Mars

Jessie Atkin posted a blog up on Digital Landing about the Phoenix Lander sent up by NASA.

After far more than the planned 90 days the Mars Phoenix Lander has seen it’s last martian sunrise.

After seeing everything from red dust to ice and snow . The lander has at last run out of its last drop of power and is now frozen on the red planet, just like the ice it dug up so many weeks ago. The Landers mission was successful for the most part, detecting water, observing weather, and doing a whole number of other experiments. A mission set to last only 90 days lasted nearly 60 more, and that’s a pretty big success as NASA missions go.

We’ve reached Mars by Phoenix, so when will we reach it with men?

Copyright Compromise

Jessie Atkin posted a new blog up on Digital Landing about a contract between Youtube and MGM.

Movies have started their legal clime into the world of Youtube. After years of copyright infringement and movies posted in twelve parts a new era seems to be making its way online.

MGM has become the first major Hollywood studio to sign a deal with Youtube. The hope is that other studios will follow suit. Things aren’t perfect yet of course, right now the only official clips to be aired on the web site are shorts and television shows, but the deal does open a line of communication that didn’t exist before.

Perhaps Hulu is the best streaming site for official shows and movies at the moment but it seems Youtube is ready to work its way into the legitimate market. Only so many “funniest home videos” are funny for long.

I Want My MTV

Chris McGinn posted a blog on Digital Landing about the new videos up on the MTV website. But these are just any videos, but timeless classics.

This isn’t really a clever fix for family life–just a pure indulgence. MTV recently uploaded thousands of vintage videos to its new MTV Music website. Now you can “Party Like Its 1999” anytime. Enjoy all the old favorites from back with MTV actually played music videos like “Money for Nothing,” “Thriller,” and “It’s the End of the World As We Know It.” Best part–they are all free.

The videos are in h.264 high-def and look and sound incredible considering the age of many of them. In the future they also plan to add the ability for small-time musicians to upload their videos for playback and add video playlisting so you can see all your favorites at a click. If you’ve been getting your video fix via You Tube, it’s time to upgrade.

Coupons go mobile

Chris McGinn posted a blog on Digital Landing about the new and improved way to use coupons. Instead of clipping out pieces of paper, they can be sent to your phone.

The days of clipping coupons are numbered. First there were printable coupons, and now there are digital coupons downloadable directly to your cell phone.

Cellfire deals can be downloaded from your PC directly to your phone or even your store rewards card. In addition, if you see an ad online with the Cellfire logo you can click on it to save or if you hear or see and ad on TV, print or radio where Cellfire is a sponsor, you can “text to save” the deal. When you get ready to use the deal, you access the saved deal from your phone and view the code needed by the retailer. It’s that easy!

Cellfire deals are available from regional and national stores like Kroger, GameStop, Hardees, Ralph’s, Hollywood Video, Fry’s, KFC, and more.

I hope this catches on. I always finding myself at the store and my coupon at home!

Because 1 Ship isn’t Enough

Jessie Atkin posted a blog on Digital Landing about a new vacation spot, in outer space.

I’ve written about space tourism before but this new concept suborbital vehicle is a little different than designs we’ve seen previously.

It looks like a fish bowl. It’s just a concept ship right now but it’ll provide one hell of a view. Quite a leap from those singular port hole windows of yesteryear. Armadillo Aerospace plans to build a prototype in 2009 for a launch in 2010. It sure looks funny but I hope it all works out. Although, for an $100,000 trip price tag, the trip better be pretty incredible.

Adaptable Music

Jessie Atkin posted a blog up on Digital Landing about the joy of having an ipod.

I’m not really up to date on the current music scene, it’s difficult when I don’t listen to normal radio on a regular basis anymore. Digital music has changed everything. Why would I listen to songs I don’t like when there are so many options surrounding the music I already know I enjoy?

The simplest solution to my musical impatience is my ipod. It’s especially convenient in its travel sized-ness, and is even more convenient due to the plethora of accessories surrounding Apple’s prize product.

I used to listen to the radio in the car (that was where any new musical knowledge flooded its way into my life). Now, I don’t even have to suffer my way to the supermarket. Car adapters are perhaps the most useful ipod add on around today. From the itrip, to the road trip, to the cassette adapter, and the tune flex; there’s no need to add any more stress to travel. I always have a sing along song ready.

In my opinion I like adapters along the lines of the tune flex, not only does it charge the ipod so battery life is never a problem it also plays directly through the cars AUX-in port. (That basically means it plays right through the cars own system, so no need to find or adjust radio stations because of static.)

The itrip is pocket sized and convenient but its signal can get cut off a lot leading to extra static and hassle. The point of driving with my ipod is to eliminate hassle, as much as possible anyway.

Election Perfection

Jessie Atkin posted a blog up on digitallanding about the insecurities of voting, when the process isn't fool-proof.

It’s election day and that means it is not a stellar day for technology. As was apparent in 2000 and will be apparent again today no vote is as safe as we’d hope. From the recount and hanging chads to the ever present hacking possibility for electronic booths the result of the election isn’t as nerve racking as the possibility of the wrong result.

New York remains one of the safer states with its lever voting machines, but the lever booth is far from the most popular across the country today. From paper to computers there’s quite a spread across the country today just the same as political opinions. It’s important to vote today, whether it’s your first time or the one hundredth time, but it’s important to understand things don’t end today. As active as the country has been in the past year, the attention that has been paid to issues, that fire should continue. Maybe we should start with the voting process itself. Maybe next time we won’t have to be afraid of the integrity and safety of our very ballots.

Use the Web to plan your vacation

There's a new blog up on digitallanding.com! Read it and learn all about how your next vacation could be the best one yet with a few tips when planning online.

The clocks have been turned back and the trick-or-treating has ended and now it's time to plan that trip to visit loved ones for the winter holiday season. But, have no fear. Making your travel plans online is as easy as 1-2-3. Let Digital Landing show you how.

Get the best value for your travel planning money and discover wonderful places to visit.

It’s that lack of time again

By Jessie Atkin

It’s no small secret that the computer can hinder work (homework in particular) as much as it can enhance it. In honor of the numerous procrastinators everywhere here are my top three choices for tools of procrastination (at least at the moment):

1) Facebook. This should be no surprise to most people. Beyond updating one’s own profile, fooling with any of the, what feels like billions, of available applications, there’s also the ever time wasting habit of “facebook stalking”. In other words, surfing through the pages of friends and acquaintances to check out any new dirt in areas including (but not limited to) status, pictures, and relationship. With a plethora of possibilities facebook is all but procrastination heaven.

2) Imdb. That’s right, the internet movie database. I’m a movie buff, so it’s not for everyone, but for me, it’s a key visit when I need a little (or a not so little) break. Beyond the gossip centered news section I can search for information on upcoming movies or on favorite stars future projects. If I’m really settling in for a long visit the "Trivia" link is always entertaining at the top of a stars page, so too is the "Goofs" link for certain movies. A little quote browsing too can pass the time nicely.

3) MacBrickout. I tend to change my procrastination game from time to time, but now it’s MacBrickout. It’s addictive (as most of my procrastination oriented games are) and is also downloadable, which makes it particularly convenient when a wireless internet connection is unavailable. It’s a simple premise, anyone can play. Slide a paddle along the bottom of the screen (like pong) to keep a ball bouncing and clear all the bricks to pass to the next level. To make it even more interesting capsules and bubbles fall from the ceiling that can do anything from raise your score to cause your paddle to disappear. The shareware version can be downloaded for free.

The Great Social Experiment

Richard Blaine posted a blog on Digital Landing about joining Facebook and the joys of re-connecting with old friends.

And to start us back up, I’m venturing into the world of “social networking“. Yes, at long last, I will have a Facebook page!

You might be wondering what the big deal is. Why wouldn’t I have had a Facebook page already? I’d actually registered a year or two back - just to see what was going on, but had never even filled in my profile. There are a few reasons that I held out this long:

The entire blog.

What is a "Friend"?

Richard Blaine posted a blog on Digital Landing about Facebook, and how the term ‘friend’ is thrown about too lightly.

So, as part of the grand experimment in social networking, I’ve been on Facebook for over a week. I have 32 “friends”. Some of those people have over a hundred Facebook friends. I know for a fact that hese people aren’t nearly that popular away from their PC.

In the “real” world, friend is not a term I throw around lightly. Friendship implies trust, camaraderie, shared interests and ideals. A friend is someone you want to spend time with. Someone you can count on when you need them. Somebody you could ask when you need a ride to the airport (OK - some friends believe that the airport run goes beyond the bounds of friendship). In the real world, if you asked me how many friends I have - not acquaintances, not poker buddies - actual friends - I’m pretty sure the final count would come in well under my 32 Facebook friends -and the Facebook friend requests are still pouring in. I should hit 50 by the end of the week. Because of Facebook is the word Friend losing it’s value?

Read the rest of the article.

Flipswap

There’s a new blog up on Digital Landing. It’s about a cool website called Flipswap, where you can trade in your old electronics for money.

Flipswap is a new option for getting rid of your old cell phone or Apple iPod. Trade in hundreds of models for Amazon gift cards or recycle models that are outdated or unable to be fixed.

The average cell phone user gets a new device every 18 months. Meanwhile, tons of electronic waste are building up in landfills. Recycling for reuse or destruction in environmentally sustainable ways are the only responsible options when it comes to getting rid of your old device.

Flipswap makes it easy by paying for shipping on your device and giving you a gift card for a trade-in value if you qualify or planting a tree through its reLeaf project.

It only take a few minutes to search for your model and see what your trade-in value might be. Turn that trash into treasure!

found via imommies.com

Could Facebook dash your child's college dream?

Chris McGinn has posted a new blog at http://www.digitallanding.com/ called Could Facebook dash your child's college dream?

If you needed another reason to help your kids monitor what they write and do on Facebook, MySpace and other networking sites, consider this: 10 percent of college admissions counselors at prestigious universities say they check out potential students pages and 38 percent say they have rejected a student based on what they found.

You should know some colleges do consider the pages off-limits in decision making and personal, but others are looking. Regardless of whether your child’s college admissions office views them, odds are good that future employers might.


With more and more of our lives being available on-line, personal privacy and restraint is more necessary than ever. Teach your children the importance of using privacy options on MySpace and Facebook and check to make sure they are. Remind them not to post anything they wouldn’t want their parents or their future teachers or employers looking at. It could save their education or their career.

A New Kind of Premiere

Jessie Atkin has posted a new blog at http://www.digitallanding.com/ called a A New Kind of Premiere.

Film on Facebook is one of the many social networking projects the site has created to connect fans and utilize the community building power of the internet.

Specifically Film on Facebook is a group that connects film makers and fans. Filmakers can post behind the scenes videos, photos, showtimes, and comments through what facebook designates as “fan pages”. The most newsworthy bit is the premiere of One Track Mind (by Woodshed films), a surfing movie, directly on facebook this past week (October 16 and 17). There was a live chat session online as well.

The internet is a the new way to promote anything so film is no surprise. Facebook is an especially good stage for such promotion since the site already has a built in audience. The movie industry is going to have to deal with file sharing and rights in much the same way the music industry has struggled the past few years. But Imagine the possibilities if the movie industry were to get on board rather than figh the inevitable.

Moving may open the door to new tech choices

There’s a new article up on digital landing about moving and being able to keep your internet/cable provider.

Changing addresses? Now may be a great time to take stock of your cable, satellite, digital phone, and Internet services and make any necessary changes.

Read the rest of the article.

A New Space Nation

Jessie Atkin has posted a new blog at Digitallanding.com called A New Space Nation

South Korea has now joined the worldwide race for space. It’s not as much of a race today, but that fact is they are now ready to take their first step to joining the ranks of orbit bound countries around the rest of the planet. Perhaps it’s not privately funded like The Google X prize here in the US, but it’s still a step forward for the world as a whole.

The KSLV-1 (unveiled at the Naro Space Center in Goheung) will be capable of putting Korea’s first satellite into orbit sometime between April and June of 2009. It’s a big deal. Our new frontier is in the news again and things look to be moving forward as we continue exploration up and out.

Lets Face It

Jessie Atkin has posted a new blog at www.digitallanding.com called Lets Face It

Facebook. It’s not a gadget per se, but it deserves discussion . There are so many assumptions and conflicts surrounding social networks now that sometimes the real reason and use of the things just disappear.

First, of all the social networks (popular ones including: Myspace, Twitter, Friendster, and Friendfeed) I’m a Facebook user. So, this post is going to focus on the Facebook specifics, though many of the main points apply to all social networks in general.

Lets be clear, Facebook started as a web site meant to link college students, and then moved to allow high school students, and finally to the world in general. So, in the beginning, Facebook had everything right. Not to be self centered, but who needs a simple way to stay connected more than college age students? Who could learn to use Facebook faster than teenagers? Far from home with friends spread across the world Facebook provided a simple way to say “hey” and post a picture or two. It was of course main stream media and the elders who made things “unsafe” on the internet.

Complete Blog

Turning over a new leaf

Chris McGinn has posted a new blog at http://blogs.digitallanding.com/ called Turning over a new leaf.

I got my new edition of Family Fun magazine in the mail today. I love tearing out ideas for crafts and recipes to do with my kids as they age. But now I don’t have to!

Family Fun is one of 40 magazines that has joined Coverleaf, an online magazine viewing and clipping site. TItles such as Better Homes and Gardens, Fortune, Wondertime, and Scrapbooks, etc are among the magazines available on the site.
If you have a print subscription to a magazine the service is FREE. If you don’t have a subscription you can buy one for a low rate or even buy the issue for as low as 99 cents.

If you are looking for ways to declutter your home, this may be a great option for all those “clips” you have hanging around.

A Modern Day List for Santa

Chris McGinn has a new blog post on Digital Landing called A modern day list for Santa.

For the past few years, I’ve been trying out various online wish lists to organize the grandparents, aunts and uncles on how to buy for my son.

Originally, I used Wishlist but now I have moved to Kaboodle. The genius of both of these sites is letting you choose gifts for your site from any retailer rather than just one like Target or even Amazon.

I prefer Kaboodle now because it is part of a whole community so it is easier to see what everyone else has on their lists, making it easier to get ideas that might work for me. I also like having my own Kaboodle lists to keep track of things I find online that I might like to buy one day or so my husband can see what I have my eye on.

Kaboodle is easy to use with their helpful toolbar add-on so you can quickly add items you find online to your list complete with pricing, picture, and description. You can also add things you find on other people’s lists directly from the site without having to locate them online.

On Kaboodle you can create multiple lists under your account so you can have wish lists for various holidays or topics like “If I Had A MIllion Dollars” or “Baby Shower.” You can also create Polls if you can’t decide what you want and let others make the choice for you.

Another cool trick is a widget to add the list to your blog or MySpace page–perfect for advertising it to potential gift buyers.

If you’re just someone who likes to shop anyway and stay up on the latest styles, Kaboodle is a great way to keep up. It has featured Kaboodlers and continually updates with what’s hot on people’s lists.

For those with older children, they can add their own wishes as they browse the web–a modern Santa’s list.

This holiday season I highly recommend Kaboodle to keep track of everyone’s wishlists.